Quote of the Day: Peter Berg on Why ‘Battleship’ Flopped
Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Universal, Action, Science Fiction, Box Office, Filmmaking,
"I felt I had a new understanding of what went into making a blockbuster [after making Hancock]... I got a taste of a film's global power. But I discounted the effect of Will Smith on Hancock's success. I thought I could pull off Battleship without a big star."
- Director Peter Berg explains why he thinks that Battleship failed at the box office.
(Make sure to check out other notable quotes.)
Read More 
| The Hollywood Reporter
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Rihanna is a Natural Actress
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Universal, Action, Science Fiction, Thrillers, Celeb News, Filmmaking, Upcoming Releases,
Rihanna was a "natural" in Battleship.
The pop singer makes her movie debut in the forthcoming summer blockbuster alongside Taylor Kitsch and Brooklyn Decker; director Peter Berg was delighted with her performance.
"She was great. She has a very strong part. I was surprised no one had ever thought to hire Rihanna. I was a huge fan of her videos. Obviously she's sexy, but she had this real intensity. I'm like, 'Someone's going to get her.'"
Peter was most impressed by Rihanna's attitude and willingness to learn when they first met to discuss the movie: "When I met with her, she came in a T-shirt and jeans, no makeup, very natural. She was like, 'Look, I want to be an actress. Don't kiss my ass. Don't lie to me. Push me. Treat me as you would any other actor. Help make me good.' She is really, really good in Battleship."
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Rihanna Boards Battleship Movie
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Universal, Action, Adaptation, Science Fiction, Casting, Celeb News, Scripts, Upcoming Releases,
Singer Rihanna is set to make her big screen debut in Battleship.
The Grammy award winner will star alongside Alexander Skarsgard (True Blood) and Taylor Kitsch (Friday Night Lights) in the movie based on the popular Hasbro game.
The Peter Berg-directed movie - which will take place across land, sea and air - will see the planet fighting for survival against an alien invader known as The Regents. The film will be told from both sides of the battle
Kitsch is set to play a naval officer who leads the fight against the invading species, while Skarsgard will play his brother. It is not yet known what role Rihanna will play.
Brian Koppleman and David Levien provided revisions to the original screenplay written by Jon and Erich Hoeber (Whiteout).
Battleship launches in cinemas on May 25, 2012.
Read More | Variety
Sequel News: Sherlock Holmes, Silent Hill and More
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Columbia Pictures, Paramount, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Horror, Period, Science Fiction, Sequels, Thrillers, Casting, Celebrity Gossip, Rumors, Scripts, Upcoming Releases,
Sherlock Holmes: Are you looking forward to seeing Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law in Sherlock Holmes? Are you already convinced the movie deserves a sequel? Although we still have to wait until Christmas to unwrap the Guy Ritchie film, Warner Bros. is already prepping for a follow-up…and word has it, Brad Pitt may be involved. Writers Kieran and Michele Mulroney (Justice League: Mortal) will most likely be tasked with writing the second installment, which may feature the Inglourious Basterds star as Moriarty, Holmes’ nemesis. (Rumor has it Pitt even makes an appearance in December’s outing.) No other names have yet been attached to the project.
Click to continue reading Sequel News: Sherlock Holmes, Silent Hill and More
Casting Corner: Mark Wahlberg, James Franco, Jennifer Lopez
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Paramount, Yari Film Group Releasing, Adaptation, Drama, Romance, Comedy, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases,
Here’s a quick look at some of the casting announcements made recently:
Former Rolling Stone journalist Evan Wright is currently working with Paramount to bring his next project to the big screen. Wright’s 2004 book, Generation Kill, is currently airing on HBO as a mini-series. Now Evan has signed a deal to adapt something he is still writing.
Cocaine Cowboys - not to be confused with the 2006 documentary by the same name - will tell the story of Jon Roberts, a real-life drug trafficker who wound up working with the Medellin drug cartel. Interestingly enough, Mark Wahlberg has signed on to star and co-produce the adaptation. Those familiar with Entourage - a show Mark created - may remember that Vincent Chase fought hard to get the lead role in the movie Medellin.
Director Peter Berg (Hancock) has been tapped to helm the project.
Click to continue reading Casting Corner: Mark Wahlberg, James Franco, Jennifer Lopez
Variety
In Theaters This Holiday Weekend (7/2)
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Columbia Pictures, IFC Films, Magnolia, Sony, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Documentary, Drama, Family, Foreign, Independent, Romance, Comedy, Lists, New Releases,
Here are some possible suggestions for your three-day weekend:
- Hancock (PG-13): starring Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman (directed by Peter Berg)
- Kitt Kittredge: An American Girl** (G): starring Abigail Breslin, Stanley Tucci, Glenne Headly (directed by Patricia Rozema)
- Diminished Capacity* (NR): starring Matthew Broderick, Virginia Madsen, Alan Alda (directed by Terry Kinney)
- Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson* (R): starring Johnny Depp, Hunter S. Thompson, Sonny Barger (directed by Alex Gibney)
Click to continue reading In Theaters This Holiday Weekend (7/2)
Box Office Breakdown: Tyler Perry vs. George Clooney
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adventure, Drama, Family, Horror, Independent, Musicals, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Sports, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,
This weekend saw George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Joaquin Phoenix and Cate Blanchett all fighting for your box office dollars—so who would have thought Tyler Perry would come out the big winner?
Even though two of his last three films opened with impressive numbers, very few predicted the writer/actor/producer/director would topple the competition. Now the number crunchers know better. Though the debut underperformed 2005’s Diary of a Mad Black Woman ($21.9 million) and 2006’s Madea’s Family Reunion ($30 million), Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married? still scored $10 million more than its nearest competitor.
Additionally surprising was the lasting success of Disney’s The Game Plan. The film finally dropped one notch to #2 in its third week—also beating out We Own The Night and Michael Clayton. Although kid-friendly fare is rarity these days, the movie’s ability to remain so strong is quite impressive.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Tyler Perry vs. George Clooney
Box Office Breakdown: The Rock Upsets The Heartbreak Kid
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks, Disney, Lionsgate, New Line, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Action, Drama, Family, Period, Romance, Science Fiction, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,
Despite what you may have learned in school, Ben Stiller + The Farrelly Brothers does not necessarily equal box office gold.
The team behind There’s Something About Mary took a backseat to last weekend’s winner: The Game Plan. The Heartbreak Kid, a remake of the 1972 Neil Simon comedy, raked in only $14 million. While Mary did open with a smaller gross back in 1998 ($13.7M), it’s doubtful this critically-panned movie will become another sleeper hit for the trio. Thankfully co-star Michelle Monaghan will have the upcoming Gone Baby Gone to wash this disappointment away.
The only other new entries into the Top 10 included the fantasy flick, The Seeker ($3.7M), and the J.Lo-produced dance film, Feel the Noise ($3.1M). Meanwhile, the well-reviewed Michael Clayton pulled impressive numbers in limited release ($46,000 per screen). Expect the George Clooney vehicle to open wide this weekend.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: The Rock Upsets The Heartbreak Kid
Box Office Breakdown: The Game Plan Scores the Win
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Disney, Lionsgate, New Line, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Drama, Horror, Independent, Musicals, Political, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,
The execs at Disney must be loving themselves this week. Not only are are they attached to one of hottest concert tours of the year, they have just taken a surprise win at the box office. Although many had predicted good things for the terrorism thriller, The Kingdom, a simple father/daughter bonding film moved theatergoers this weekend.
At $22.9 million, The Game Plan took in almost $6 million more than the Jamie Foxx/Jennifer Garner vehicle. The movie about a football player who meets the daughter he never knew he had (how exactly is that a Disney storyline?) gave “The Rock” Dwayne Johnson his second best opening (behind 2002’s The Scorpion King).
Meanwhile, Julie Taymor’s Across the Universe made its first entry into the Top 10. After several weeks in limited release, the musical—which uses 33 Beatles songs to tell its story—will expand into more theaters come October 12th.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: The Game Plan Scores the Win
In Theaters This Weekend (9/28)
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: FOCUS, Disney, Fox Searchlight, MGM, Lionsgate, Universal, Drama, Family, Independent, Romance, Comedy, Thrillers, Lists, Upcoming Releases,
Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:
- The Game Plan (PG): starring Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Madison Pettis (directed by Andy Fickman)
- The Kingdom (R): starring Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner (directed by Peter Berg)
- The Darjeeling Limited* (R): starring Adrien Brody, Owen Wilson (directed by Wes Anderson)
- Feast of Love* (R): starring Morgan Freeman, Greg Kinnear (directed by Robert Benton)
- Lust, Caution* (NC-17): starring Tony Leung, Tang Wei (directed by Ang Lee)
- Outsourced* (PG-13): starring Larry Pine, Asif Basra (directed by John Jeffcoat)
- Trade* (R): starring Kevin Kline, Cesar Ramos (directed by Marco Kreuzpaintner)
*limited or gradual release
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